Hi, everyone! I hope you are all well, and sparking up a storm!

We're almost all settled into a 'school year' routine around here, and while our week of 'holiday' has been different than we expected, it's been really great. Instead of getting a lot of stuff done, in between school events for our daughter, my wonderful husband and I spent the week 'courting' anew. Having days to spend in each other's company without having to 'share' each other's attention with someone else (even though we love her to pieces!) is a delight we had almost forgotten.

You see, tomorrow is our 10th wedding anniversary, and for the last ten years we have continued to take either the week of, or the week before, our honeymoon as our main holiday. This year, rather than switching just because Olivia is in school, we took the time anyway, and it's been such a gift! I feel renewed in ways for which I can't even quite find the words.

Tomorrow we're going to renew our wedding vows at morning Mass in our parish church. At first we just wanted to mark the day in a special way, and our shared faith is central to who we are as a couple. With a few hours more thought, we realized there were people who would be upset if we didn't at least give them the opportunity to join us. Then we figured we should at least serve coffee if people were coming to celebrate with us, and it's now morphed into 'continental breakfast' and a full-scale celebration! :) We just finished decorating the church meeting room, and all the food is prepared (hard-cooked eggs, three cheeses, croissants, fruit, dried figs, juice and coffee)... we're tired but excited!

More so than usuual, this year also means so much to us because we are surrounded by couples who are fighting for their marriages... some are choosing to fight more with each other, than they are fighting FOR their marriages... and we feel deeply saddened. We would wish for everyone the joy and companionship we experience in our marriage, and it was this that inspired us to renew our vows within the midst of our community... we hope to inspire anyone who is struggling in their marriage to fight harder, and to remind others who are doing well to not take any of it for granted.

We invite you all to do the same... fight harder FOR each other, or embrace a greater appreciation for what you have. Do something tomorrow in our honour to make your relationship better, or to celebrate all you appreciate about it. We ask also that you simply keep us, and all married couples - especially those who are struggling - in your prayers tomorrow...

...that the love we witness to the world is ever an example of patience and kindness.
...that our love for each other and the love that we share with the world is never jealous, or conceited, or proud, or easily provoked.
...that in loving each other and the world we never keep a record of wrongs, but that we rejoice and give thanks for every opportunity before us to love one another as God loves us.
...that our love seeks out and bears witness always to truth, and to the light of Christ in the world.
...that the love we share and witness to the world never gives up or in to despair, even in the face of trials and adversity.
... that our faith, hope and patience never fail.
...that our marriage and our love continue to be sacrament for each other, and for all who have a share in our life together.

We are incredibly blessed in our marriage and by the presence of our friends and families (most of you wouldn't know it, but you have a share in my marriage too... my journey here has made me a better wife... and as I am a better wife, so too becomes my husband... and vice versa).

THANK YOU for your continued gifts of friendship, family, faith and community. Our marriage is stronger for it, and continues to bear fruit because of it.

In gratitude and faith we pray THAT GOD ABUNDANTLY BLESS YOU, and those you love, in every way you require. May your every day be all you need it to be. May an all abiding peace fill your thoughts, rule in your dreams each night, and conquer all your fears. May God manifest himself in ways you have never before experienced. May he hold you gently in the palm of his hand in a very personal way, and may you rest in the fullness of his love, his grace, his strength, his wisdom, his rescue, his redemption, his healing, his inspiration, his restoration and his mercy as you require it! May you carry in your heart always an extra special awareness of God's great love for you, may you feel his sweet and gentle touch upon your life, and may you see his miracles all around you. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your cares be lifted... may faith enter a new height in you, may your territory be enlarged, and may fulfillment be just one step closer. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!

Love,
Rob & Ramona

P.S. See you all sooner than later...



Have you ever wondered why the wedding ring goes on the fourth finger?
Check this out:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
57MakDoK624



My prayer for all of you and your marriages:

"Touching”
by Ramona Florizone

Touching is the prayer of spouses. We touch in love to comfort, to heal, to give life, to celebrate, & to give glory to our God.

When we touch in love, may our touch be selfless. May we be ever mindful of each other’s needs, wishes, desires & dreams. May our love touch deeply, gently, joyfully, & respectfully.

When we touch to comfort, may our touch be a prayer in and of itself. May we be ever mindful of how God cradles us in the palm of His hand, & how He calls each of us by name. Through our touch may we seek to console, to understand, to pardon, to forgive, to inspire, & to die to our selfishness – to be for each other, as He is for us.

When we touch to heal, may our touch be a testimony to the healing power of our God – a reminder that we need only ask to receive, need only seek to find, & need only knock. The doors will be opened to all that we require. May we touch to heal not only our bodies; but to heal our hearts, minds, & spirits as well.

When we touch to give life, may it be with the full knowledge that we are His ‘creative’ beings. May we be ever mindful that we are an integral part of His creative power. Our marital embrace is meant to create life - to give life to body, mind & soul. May we always rejoice in this, & may our lives reflect that same Spirit of creation toward each other, within our family, in our community & before our God.

When we touch in celebration, may our touch be a reflection of the joy God celebrates in each of us individually. May we be ever mindful of our individuality and through our touch, may we celebrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control – the fullness of the fruits of God’s Spirit in our lives.

When we touch in exaltation of our God, may it be with gratitude for all we have; with respect for our bodies as His temple; & that through our bodies, in faith, His will, not ours, be done.

Amen.



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www.fireproofmymarriage.
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